The nearest college is 18.2 miles from Wood River
No college is within 15 miles of Wood River. The nearest is Pine Technical & Community College in Pine City, MN (1,675 students on campus); Northwood Technical College in Rice Lake is 45.9 miles away and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University 60.1 miles.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Wood River. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Wood River
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Wood River
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college and public university, priced below.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the nearest college, the nearest community college and the nearest public university. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Wood River’s median household income ($82,857) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
The same three colleges: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Wood River
What is the closest college to Wood River?
Pine Technical & Community College in Pine City, MN, 18.2 miles in a straight line from the center of Wood River. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Wood River, and what does it cost?
Northwood Technical College in Rice Lake, 45.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,926 a year for Wisconsin residents; the federal net price, $8,989, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University cost if we live in Wisconsin?
Tuition and fees are $6,030 a year in-state and $6,030 from out of state.
How many Wood River residents are in college?
About 1 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Wisconsin (6). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Wood River. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →